If I do knock, he won’t open itHe won’t open it: A note of interrogation seems out of place after recludet..ADVOCATIThen break the pannelBreak the pannel: Panem frangite Literally, break the bread, meaning the pannel. He plays upon the resemblance of the verb pulto, to knock, and puls, pottage..AGORASTOCLESIf the Procurer comes out, do you think I ought to enquire of the fellow whether my slave has come to him or not?ADVOCATIWhy not?AGORASTOCLESWith two hundred golden Philippean pieces?ADVOCATIWhy not?AGORASTOCLESThen the Procurer will be going astray at once.ADVOCATIAbout what matter? AGORASTOCLESDo you ask? Because a less sum will be named by one hundred pieces.ADVOCATIYou judge rightly. AGORASTOCLESHe’ll think that some other person is being looked after.ADVOCATINo doubt. AGORASTOCLESHe’ll be denying it at once. ADVOCATIOn his oath even. AGORASTOCLESThe fellow will involve himself in the guilt of theft—ADVOCATIBeyond a doubt, it certainly is so.AGORASTOCLESOf however much it is that shall have been brough to him.ADVOCATIWhy not? AGORASTOCLESJupiter confound youJupiter confound you: For their repeated and tiresome answers of quippini?why not?!ADVOCATIWhy not your own self? AGORASTOCLES(going towards the door of LYCUS.)I’ll go and knock at this door.ADVOCATIEven so. Why not? AGORASTOCLESIt’s time to be quiet, for the door makes a noise. I see the Procurer Lycus coming out of doors; come this way, pray!ADVOCATIWhy not? But, if you please, cover up our heads, that the Procurer mayn’t know us, who have been his decoyersHis decoyers: Illices.Illex was a bird-call, quail-pipe, or decoy used by fowlers for catching birds. into so great a calamity.(He throws the lappets of their garments over their heads.)

(Enter LYCUS, from his house.)LYCUS(to himself.)Let all soothsayers go hang themselves now at once. Why should I believe them in future, as to what they say? For they, just now at the sacrifice, told me that evil and the greatest disaster was portended to me.I have since then amplified my fortune with profit.AGORASTOCLES(accosting him.)Save you, Procurer.LYCUSMay the Gods bless you, Agorastocles.AGORASTOCLESYou now salute me more kindly than hitherto.